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I tested this cheaper rival to Bose and Shokz’ cuff-style open earbuds and other brands could learn a lot from it

11:30 pm | September 8, 2025

Baseus Inspire XC1: Two minute review

In every headphone niche there are going to be the big-name players, and there are going to be the little-known challengers offering a more affordable or even more novel take on the form factor, and it’s no different with clip-on, cuff-style sets, which still count among the best open earbuds we've tested.

Open earbuds are a type of headphone which intentionally doesn’t block out surrounding sound, letting you hear what’s going on when you’re working out, going on a run outdoors or are on your commute, and clip-ons are one style which clips onto your ear, in a kind of cuff style, rather than a hook style that snakes behind the curve of your ear.

While this form factor is dominated by names like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and, more recently, the Shokz OpenDots One, a few other brands offer something different, and Baseus is now one of them.

The Baseus Inspire XC1 are the third 'clipping' headphone from Baseus, so you’d hope the brand has some expertise it can bring. Their pitch is that they fix open-ears’ common sound quality problems by bringing Bose-tuned audio, support for Hi-Res Audio and LDAC availability, all for a relatively modest price.

To that end it was claimed at launch that the XC1 were the first open earbuds with two drivers per bud, an assertion which the aforementioned Shokz OpenDots One might take issue with, but that certainly shows a focus on sound quality.

It’s ironic, then, that the sound quality was a weaker point for these open earbuds. The sonic profile is warm yet ill-defined, so bass lacks punch and trebles and mids are missing something themselves. While some fitness users might enjoy this kind of indistinct wall of noise (something to tune out with, while focusing on your workout), audiophiles aren’t going to be impressed.

I also found that the buds’ bridge could pinch over long listening periods, which isn’t ideal, but I do mean long – I could listen for several hours before noticing the issue, so it won’t be a problem everyone faces. And the fit is reliable beyond that.

I’m starting this synopsis with two negatives, but there’s a lot to like about the Inspire XC1 beyond these pitfalls. The battery life is longer than on many rivals, for one thing, and the equalizer is advanced with several presets and plenty of customization. Also, the touch controls are easy-to-use and convenient.

That last point in particular is something I want to emphasize. The vast majority of headphones and earbuds do touch controls terribly but Baseus' solution was simple and easy – other brands could learn a thing or two here.

As mentioned above, the Baseus also undercuts both Bose's and Shokz’ alternatives, and offers good value for money when you compare their feature sets and audio qualities. If you don’t want to stretch your budget to reach for those pricier options, the Baseus Inspire XC1 option could be a good compromise.

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Specifications

Component	Value
Water resistant	IP66
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4
Weight	5.5g / Charging case: 55g
Driver	1x 10.8mm, 1x tweeter

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Price and availability

The Baseus Inspire XC1 above a green blanket. — (Image credit: Future)

Announced in September 2025
Priced at $129 (roughly £100, AU$200)
Undercuts many rivals

The Baseus Inspire XC1 were released at the annual tech conference IFA in September 2025, alongside the XH1 over-ear headphones and XP1 in-ear buds.

At retail price, the Inspire XC1 cost $129 (roughly £100 or AU$200 but TechRadar wasn’t provided international release information prior to launch).

That price is in the ballpark of rivals, confirming that the Baseus product undercuts lots of its competition to a greater or lesser degree; the Huawei FreeClip, Shokz OpenDots and Bose Ultra Open earbuds all cost increasingly more.

But there are some well-respected options for cheaper still, including the JLab Flex Open and Anker Soundcore C40i. And let's not forget, Baseus itself has two other alternatives that undercut this, in the MC1 and BC1.

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Design

Bud and counterweight connected by small hook
Lightweight but can pinch after extended use
Easy-to-use touch controls

For those of you who skipped the intro, the Baseus Inspire XC1 is a clip-style (or cuff-style, if you prefer) open-ear earbud. The latter hyphenation indicates that these are earbuds which don’t block your ear, so you can hear your surroundings, and the former signifies that instead of using a sports loop to hover over your ear, they clip onto your auricle, using a small earbud which nestles into your ear and a counterweight behind the ear which are linked by a plastic bridge.

Clipping earbuds always look frightfully unreliable but that’s rarely the case, and it’s not true for the XC1 either: the buds’ hold is reliable and I went on many hours of runs without any slipping or falling. However, it does pinch a little which, although only noticeable after sustained use, means they can stop being comfortable if you’re listening for long amounts of time. I also found myself knocking the behind-the-ear counterweight with my shoulder on occasion when I was stretching or rolling my head, but those were rare cases.

Each bud weighs roughly 5.5g, so they tip the scales to a similar degree as rivals, and they have an IP66 rating which certifies them against any kind of solid particles like dust, as well as high-pressure water jets… I think. Elsewhere in the information Baseus provided to TechRadar, it referred to the buds as having an IPX7 rating, which offers no proofing against dust but increased water resistance.

The counterweight has a small physical button, and you can customize what this does using the app – but by default, it pauses music. I found it pretty easy to pinch this to control my music once I got used to the position, and I’m glad Baseus isn’t trying to do anything more complex with its controls like some other brands.

The case weighs 54g and it’s fairly small, although that’s not saying much given that most clip-on earbuds have tiny cases. It opens horizontally and accepts either earbud in either hole, saving a lot of faff when you want to put the buds away.

Design score: 4/5

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Features

Not as many features as rivals
Battery life is 8 hours, 40 hours with case
EQ with lots of useful presets

The Baseus Inspire XC1 will offer you 8 hours of listening time in one go, according to the brand’s figures – my own testing didn’t raise any reasons to doubt this. That just a hair on the long side compared to lots of other rivals using this form factor.

Using the case, you can get an extra 32 hours of listening time, for 40 hours in total, and again lots of the Baseus’ rivals fall a little short.

Due to the form factor, there’s no noise cancellation – it’s not unheard of in open-ears, but it’s incredibly rare and so we don’t expect it.

Baseus offers an app with a few extra features including an equalizer, a low latency mode, the ability to customize touch controls, toggles to high-res audio and a feature I haven’t seen much of on headphones: a battery-saver mode. As someone who gets battery anxiety on long trips, this is certainly a welcome feature.

The equalizer comes with seven presets, including a Bose-designed one, but you can create your own sound mix using an eight-band EQ mode too.

I’ve never written this sentence about an earbud tie-in app before, but the Baseus app felt very slow to use on my powerful Android phone. This shouldn’t dictate your purchase decision but it’s just to say ‘no, your phone isn’t breaking down’.

Features score: 4/5

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Sound performance

Two drivers per bud
Muddied sound profile
Support for several standards

Each bud of the Baseus Inspire XC1 gets two drivers: a 10.8mm woofer for low-end sounds and a balanced armature tweeter for high-end ones that we weren’t told the size of.

It’s rare to see a dual-driver open-ear, with most manufacturers opting not to kit out earbuds that will be competing with so many background sounds, but that’s not all. The buds also support higher-resolution audio and the LDAC codec if you switch them on in the app.

Listening to music, it’s clear that the sound is good quality, and that’s especially true if you do opt to make the most of the standards offered. And so you’re probably wondering why I criticized the audio before. Well, that comes down to the tuning.

The Inspire XC1 have a warm sound profile, with the woofer coming up clutch to support lots of bass. However it’s an ill-defined kind of bass, muddy and indistinct, a that’s an issue that plagues music as a whole: treble isn’t sharp, mids are mushy.

The result is that music seems to lack a lot of energy and spark. I don’t know about you, but lifeless tunes are the last thing I want with earbuds designed for exercise.

You’re probably wondering why I didn’t just jump into the equalizer to fix the problem; I tried, and it didn’t really work. Other presets beyond the default (the Bose-tuned one, I must add) maintain the issue to a lesser or greater degree. If you’ve got the buds, I’d recommend opting for the Jazz Rock preset, which was the most energetic to my ears.

Sound performance score: 3.5/5

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Value

The Baseus XC1 undercut a decent amount of the competition, including options which don’t offer substantially more for your money, although you can get alternatives that are a lot cheaper if you shop around.

Bearing in mind the cost and what you’re actually getting for your money, they offer a reasonable value set, letting you get all of the features of pricier rivals with a few downgrades to justify the cost.

Value score: 4/5

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Value	While they don't match premium options in terms of feature set, they don't in price either.	4/5
Design	They're not the most comfortable open-ears I've ever used, but they're lightweight and don't fall out.	4/5
Features	The equalizer is handy but beyond that there aren't any unique features and the battery life is about average/	4/5
Sound	I wasn't wowed by the Inspire XC1's audio chops, despite the hardware, but non-fussy workers-out will find them fine.	3.5/5

Baseus Inspire XC1: Should I buy?

Buy them if...

You want something protected
I don't often see earbuds with an IP66 rating, with most opting for less protection against dust ingress and sometimes just sweat resistance, instead of the ability to survive jets of water.

You know your way around an equalizer
I appreciate how much customization Baseus offers over your music. You've got plenty of presets for people who don't want to fuss over their tuning, and a 10-band EQ for people who do.

You don't want to stretch for a name brand
Clip-on earbuds from well-known brands cost more, but Baseus offers most of those features for a lower price, even though it's not an out-and-out budget option.

Don't buy them if...

You're an audiophile
Despite the specs, I wasn't won over by the Baseus' sound quality, as it didn't offer energy in tunes. If you need perfectly-optimized music in order to enjoy your workout, you might not enjoy these buds.

You plan to wear for long periods
I could feel the Baseus on my ear after working out for an hour or longer, so if you're about to do an ultramarthon and want something comfortable, this isn't it.

Also consider

Component	Baseus Inspire XC1	Shokz OpenDots One	Huawei FreeClip
Water resistant	IP66	IP54	IP54
Battery life	8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)	10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)	8 hours (earbuds), 36 hours (total)
Bluetooth type	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.3
Weight	5.5g / Charging case: 54g	5.6g / Charging case: 52g	5.6g / Charging case: 44.5g
Driver	10.8mm, tweeter	2x 11.8mm	10.8mm

Shokz OpenDots One

For a little bit more money you can get these Shokz options, which are more comfortable to wear, sound better and come with a longer-lasting battery.

Read our full Shokz OpenDots One review

Huawei FreeClip

For roughly the same price as the Baseus, this option from well-known Chinese brand Huawei comes with similar specs in most areas. However its age means that you might be able to find it greatly discounted.

How I tested

I wore the Baseus Inspire XC1 for two weeks in order to write this review, which is TechRadar's standard testing time for headphones.

The buds were connected to my Android smartphone through the test. I used them on runs, on cycle rides, at the gym, on public transport, at home and on walks around my neighborhoor, mostly for music streaming but for some spoken word too.

I've been testing products for TechRadar since 2019 and this has included plenty of other workout headphones, as well as loads of open earbuds.

Only Murders in the Building season 5 kicks things up another notch

Obviously, I'd be committing the cardinal whodunnit sin if I gave away any spoilers, but I can tell you that I've not enjoyed a season of Only Murders in the Building as much as I have with season 5. Why? Mostly because we've got the perfect balance of old and new. Our main cast have embodied their roles so well that they're essentially symbiotic, while our new players are introduced in ways that continue to surprise and delight.

I started episode 1 thinking season 5 was basically a glorified Disney channel for adults who don't want to age out of their silliness – and then I realized that's exactly what the show's been this entire time. Everything about its composition is incredibly playful, able to manipulate the typical boundaries of genre and structure that we'd normally see our best streaming services rigidly stick to. In a nutshell, it's in its own lane.

The chemistry between Martin, Short and Gomez is obviously what's continuing to drive all of this. I genuinely believe that they're unlikely best friends both on and off camera, and the fact that the podcasters know each other as well as they know themselves only makes the overall story land that much more naturally.

I'm still surprised at how well some of the one-liner zingers land, somehow veering away from cringe-worthy tropes and straight into laughs that register across different generations. This, if nothing else, is the sign that something is well-crafted and knows exactly what it is and what it wants to achieve.

I know Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep, but I need more

Meryl Streep talking to Martin Short — Meryl Streep as Loretta in *Only Murders in the Building*. (Image credit: Hulu)

If I really had to pick Only Murders in the Building season 5 apart – and I wouldn't be a good reviewer if I didn't – there are some small details that could bother me if I let them. We're effectively just getting more of exactly the same without any distinct changes, and what is different is incredibly far-fetched.

Four people have died in The Arconia by the time season 5 kicks off, and street smarts should tell us that every single resident should have moved out by now. Obviously, the fact that more death is now on the horizon requires a belief suspension so big, it's practically floating on the ceiling. But if you've taken anything seriously up until this point, that's on you.

My biggest gripe is that season 5 has the least amount of Meryl Streep screen time since her arrival in season 3. When I was 17, I co-founded a Meryl Streep fan club at school called The Mezralites around the time The Iron Lady came out. There were only two of us, and we got t-shirts made. I've been the equivalent of Cam in Modern Family ever since (who once said: "Meryl Streep could play Batman and be the right choice"), so nothing short of constant exposure is ever going to be enough for me.

Still, you can find her in the latter half of season 5, and it's majorly worth the wait. Loretta (Streep's character) decides to play a Danish clairvoyant for reasons that will become clear when you watch, and my side were splitting watching her. There's no presence, Awards chat or need to be an icon here: The Arconia is her actor's playground, and she's letting rip.

Having said all of this, you don't fix something that isn't broke. Of course Only Murders in the Building was never going to deviate away from a hugely successful format and brand, and we should be thanking our lucky stars that season 5 is just as good as it ever was (nay, better). Shoutout to Zellweger for being the best and campiest guest star we've had on in the last few years, and being the only person to match Oliver's unique brand of unhinged self-delusion.

Stream The Girlfriend on Prime Video at your own risk – I’ve not seen a more messed-up, explicit thriller this year

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Amazon Prime Video Computers Gadgets Streaming | Tags: Prime Video | Comments: Off

Lock up your parents and children, people – The Girlfriend is the new Prime Video thriller you don't want to be caught watching with anybody you get easily embarrassed around. Why? While the scandal and mysteries run deep, the erotic sexiness is off the scale.

Taking the cat-and-mouse hunt we see in shows like Killing Eve to a new extreme, The Girlfriend introduces audiences to a mother called Laura (Robin Wright) when she meets her son's new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke). Laura instantly senses that something is amiss and becomes intent on proving that Cherry's involvement in Daniel's (Laurie Davidson) life is more sinister than meets the eye.

As far as new thriller series go, this is pretty damn brilliant. Playing a mother and girlfriend off against each other is dynamic we've rarely seen onscreen in recent years, but add in the dual perspective from each episode (you'll see the same events play out twice from both Laura and Cherry's point of view) and we've got no idea who's truth is the finite truth.

All of this mystery means that if you're anything like me, you'll likely binge the six episodes in the blink of an eye, and even be willing to overlook the slight blunders that pepper the peaks and pits of the drama. If you've read the original novel by Michelle Frances and think you know what's coming, though, think again.

The Girlfriend is hands-down the streamiest stream on Prime Video in 2025

I mean, the trailer says it all. Both Laura and Cherry are playing with fire in The Girlfriend, and I've still got no idea whose side I'm on. We see Laura as both overly-doting (to the point where I'm surprised Daniel hasn't been to therapy) and conniving, while Cherry is an ice-cold manipulator and hapless nobody who's in over her head.

It'll come as no surprise that the intimacy involved (both family and romantic-oriented) is portrayed incredibly well. No matter whether it was a parental argument or a sex scene, I felt as though I should avert my gaze, as it somehow carried the shame of a teenage boy and a worried mother simultaneously. It's rare that such a mainstream limited series could make me feel uncomfortable and intrigued at the same time, and it's a testament to the quality of the series that we're able to sit with moral questions nobody has answers to.

That being said, I promise that each of our mysteries will be answered. There are no loose ends that we'll come away feeling hard-done by, but there's still a dangling 'what if' cliffhanger that leaves us exploring the narrative internally in greater detail.

I wasn't expecting such a level of introspection, nor was I anticipating such precise class commentary from The Girlfriend. Aside from the messed-up love triangle that grabs our attention, the series is also a cutting portrayal of rich vs. poor, and whether we can seamlessly rise from rags to riches like we're told is possible. This is arguably the sub-plot that's done the best of all, and it's genuinely worth watching to have a deeper conversation about this alone.

Robin Wright is an incredible director, but that might be to Laura's detriment

Robin Wright holds Laurie Davidson's head as they embrace — Robin Wright and Laurie Davidson in *The Girlfriend*. (Image credit: Amazon Prime Video)

For the most part, I cannot stress enough how impeccable our ensemble cast is. Davidson plays a mommy's boy so well that he's fit to feature on Sabrina Carpenter's latest album, with Tanya Moodie's BFF Isabella a comic treat and a slam dunk for Motherland fans. They offer us all the sex, scandal and explicit drama we'd want, but it's not perfect.

Of course, nothing is, but it's Wright herself that bothers me the most. Even after watching episode 1 alone, it's abundantly clear how much of an exquisite director she is. The Girlfriend has some of the best designed episodes of 2025, and she's the creative lynchpin responsible for that.

But while the feat of acting and directing is impressive, I don't completely buy Wright as Laura onscreen. If anything, she feels somewhat miscast in her own role. There's a lack of tenderness and heart underpinning the decisions Wright makes, although perhaps that's just because I've watched too much House of Cards. Her emotional connection with those around her can feel stilted in a way that transcends what's in the script, and I wonder what another actress would have looked like in her replace.

Laura surprisingly has the least amount of chemistry with her ex-girlfriend Lilith (Anna Chancellor), even when she finds herself snogging the face off of the woman she's supposedly never stopped loving. Chancellor's appearances feel haphazardly tacked on, and as a stalwart fictional lesbian (remember Tipping the Velvet in 2002?), she deserved more. As a real-life lesbian, I deserved more. As an audience, we understood Laura's mental anguish without needed to meet Lilith at all.

By the time we get to episode 3, the dual perspective cat-and-mouse verges on the predictable, and it's not until the latter half on episode 4 that The Girlfriend's second engine kicks into touch, driving it home to stick the landing. Still, these are minor issues in the bigger picture. You'd be hard-pressed to find another Amazon show that swings as scandalously (and successfully) big as this.

I tested Site24x7, and found it a solid all-in-one IT monitoring solution

1:34 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Site24x7 is a cloud-based platform that delivers end-to-end network monitoring capabilities across websites, servers, networks, applications, and cloud infrastructure. As part of ManageEngine's IT management suite and backed by Zoho's development resources, Site24x7 has evolved into a mature platform that competes directly with industry leaders in our best network monitoring tools roundup.

TechRadar reviewers spend several weeks researching each major IT platform in the market, testing features, evaluating pricing structures, and assessing real-world performance across different use cases. While LogicMonitor remains our pick for the best network monitoring tool of 2025, Site24x7 presents a compelling alternative for organizations seeking comprehensive monitoring at more accessible price points.

Site24x7: Features

Site24x7 has an impressive feature set that positions it as a true all-in-one monitoring platform, well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses and managed service providers who need broad visibility without the complexity of enterprise-grade solutions. It provides out-of-the-box monitoring capabilities across diverse IT components, with users consistently praising its quick deployment and immediate value delivery.

While the feature execution is generally solid, some advanced reporting capabilities lag behind specialized competitors like New Relic or LogicMonitor. Pricing justification varies depending on which features you actually use up, though the flexible add-on structure does help optimize much of the costs.

Website and synthetic monitoring

Site24x7's website monitoring capabilities include uptime tracking from over 130 global locations, synthetic transaction monitoring, and comprehensive performance metrics including web vitals and page load times. It offers both basic uptime checks and advanced synthetic transactions that can simulate complex user journeys, making it suitable for businesses that need to ensure consistent user experiences across different geographic regions.

Infrastructure and server monitoring

The platform provides robust server monitoring for Linux, Windows, macOS, and various Unix variants, with both agent-based and agentless monitoring options available. Infrastructure monitoring extends to containers, Kubernetes environments, databases, and virtualization platforms like VMware and Hyper-V, offering visibility into entire server ecosystems with customizable alerting thresholds.

Network monitoring and management

Site24x7's network monitoring capabilities include SNMP-based device monitoring with support for over 11,000 device templates, network topology mapping, and traffic analysis through NetFlow, sFlow, and other flow protocols. The platform also offers network configuration management features to ensure compliance and security, making it particularly valuable for organizations with complex network infrastructures.

Application performance monitoring

The APM module supports multiple programming languages including Java, .NET, PHP, Node.js, Python, and Ruby, providing code-level insights, transaction tracing, and performance bottleneck identification. Integration with Real User Monitoring (RUM) allows teams to correlate synthetic monitoring data with actual user experiences, providing a complete picture of application performance.

Cloud and multi-platform monitoring

Site24x7 offers native monitoring integrations for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, with specialized dashboards for cloud-specific metrics and services. It includes cloud cost management features through its ManageEngine CloudSpend integration, helping organizations optimize cloud costs based on actual usage patterns and performance data.

Site24x7: Ease of use

Site24x7 delivers a relatively straightforward onboarding experience that gets most users up and running within minutes, with agent installation and basic monitoring configuration requiring minimal technical expertise. The dashboard provides a unified view of all monitored components, though the interface design feels somewhat dated compared to newer monitoring solutions and can appear cluttered when managing large numbers of monitors.

Many users praise the quick alert setup and the platform's ability to provide immediate value without extensive configuration, though some note that the learning curve becomes steeper when attempting to customize advanced features or create complex monitoring scenarios. Its design prioritizes functional completeness over modern design aesthetics, which can be both a strength and weakness depending on your preferences.

While power users appreciate the comprehensive feature access from the main interface, newer team members may find the abundance of options overwhelming initially. Site24x7's strength lies in its practical approach to monitoring. Most essential features are accessible without deep technical knowledge, though users frequently need to contact support for advanced customizations.

Site24x7: Pricing

Plan	Starting price (paid annually)	What's included
Professional	$42/month	All-in-one monitoring support for 1 application, 5 servers, 20 websites, 4GB log ingestion, and 100K pageviews.
Enterprise	$625/month	Adds anomaly detection, event correlation, compliance features, and premium support.

Site24x7's pricing structure is transparent and flexible, offering clear value propositions at each tier without hidden fees or per-user charges that plague many competitors. The entry-level pricing at $42/month makes it accessible to small businesses, while the scaling structure provides reasonable upgrade paths as monitoring needs grow.

However, organizations that need extensive synthetic monitoring or high-volume log management may find costs escalating quickly through add-on purchases. Plus the feature restrictions between tiers can feel limiting for teams with specific monitoring requirements that span multiple plan levels.

Site24x7: Customer support

Site24x7 provides tiered support based on subscription levels, with standard email support available for all paid plans and enhanced chat and phone support starting from the Pro tier. Most users generally report positive experiences with the support team's technical knowledge and responsiveness, praising their ability to help with complex configuration scenarios and integration challenges.

The platform also maintains comprehensive documentation and video tutorials, though some users note that advanced configuration guidance could be more detailed. Support experience also varies significantly between plan tiers, with enterprise customers receiving dedicated support channels and faster response times. While basic queries are resolved promptly, users on lower-tier plans may experience longer response times for complex technical issues.

Site24x7: Alternatives

Site24x7 occupies a unique position in the monitoring market as an affordably-priced solution that competes effectively against both specialized tools and enterprise platforms. The platform is well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, managed service providers, and organizations looking to consolidate multiple monitoring tools.

Its main competitors include New Relic for application monitoring, PRTG for network monitoring, and Datadog for comprehensive observability, though Site24x7's pricing advantage becomes significant when comparing feature-equivalent configurations.

Site24x7 is a value-oriented alternative to premium solutions like LogicMonitor, New Relic, and Datadog, while offering more comprehensive features than budget alternatives like Nagios or Zabbix. Organizations choosing Site24x7 typically prioritize cost-effectiveness and breadth of monitoring capabilities over cutting-edge features or advanced analytics.

Site24x7: Final verdict

Site24x7 is an all-in-one monitoring solution that balances functionality with accessible pricing, making it attractive for organizations looking to simplify their monitoring stack. The platform's strengths lie in its broad monitoring coverage, quick deployment, and cost-effective scaling, while its weaknesses center around interface design and customization options.

But for most small to medium-sized businesses and MSPs, these trade-offs are acceptable compromises for the significant cost savings and operational simplification. The platform earns a strong recommendation for organizations prioritizing practical monitoring coverage over cutting-edge features.

While enterprises with complex requirements or teams demanding the latest in AI-powered monitoring may find better fits elsewhere, Site24x7's combination of functionality, reliability, and value makes it a compelling choice for the majority of IT teams seeking comprehensive monitoring capabilities without premium pricing.

FAQs

What types of infrastructure can Site24x7 monitor?

Site24x7 provides comprehensive monitoring across websites, servers (Linux, Windows, macOS, Unix variants), network devices, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), applications, databases, containers, and virtualization environments. The platform supports both agent-based and agentless monitoring approaches, with over 11,000 device templates for network equipment and extensive integration capabilities for modern IT infrastructure components.

How does Site24x7's pricing compare to competitors?

Site24x7 offers significantly more affordable pricing than premium competitors like New Relic, Datadog, or LogicMonitor, with plans starting at $9/month and no per-user fees. Its value proposition becomes particularly strong for organizations needing comprehensive monitoring across multiple infrastructure types, as competitors often require separate products or modules that increase total costs substantially.

What support options are available with Site24x7?

Support quality varies by plan tier, with email support for all paid customers and enhanced chat/phone support from the Pro plan onwards. Enterprise customers receive dedicated support channels and priority response times. But the platform provides documentation and video tutorials, though users frequently need direct support for advanced configurations.

Can Site24x7 replace multiple monitoring tools?

Yes, Site24x7's comprehensive feature set is specifically designed to consolidate multiple monitoring tools into a single platform, covering website uptime, server performance, network monitoring, application performance, and cloud infrastructure. Many users successfully replace combinations of specialized tools with Site24x7, achieving both cost savings and operational simplification.

Is Site24x7 suitable for enterprise environments?

While Site24x7 can handle enterprise monitoring requirements, it's best suited for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations prioritizing cost-effectiveness. Enterprises requiring sophisticated AI-driven analytics, extensive customization capabilities, or complex integration scenarios may find better fits with premium alternatives. Still, Site24x7's Enterprise plan does provide enhanced capabilities for larger deployments

We've listed the best website defacement monitoring services.

I tested Belkin’s affordable Switch 2 screen protector – and it’s hard to find fault with

1:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Tags: Nintendo Switch | Comments: Off

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2: review

The Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector is designed for anyone looking to defend their Nintendo Switch 2 from knocks and scratches.

Made from tempered glass, covered with an anti-reflective surface and treated with an anti-fingerprint coating, it promises to keep your handheld console crack-free, while not diminishing your gameplay experience; a big swing, particularly given its relatively affordable $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95 price.

The process of applying the screen protector to our Switch 2 was easy, thanks in no small part to Belkin’s simple system. Once you’ve popped the supplied frame over the Switch 2’s screen, the screen protector naturally nestles into its exact position on the glass, without the hesitation and second-guessing often experienced when applying screen protectors.

All I then had to do was peel back the top layer of film and coax all of the air pockets to the edge of the display; this took all of about 20 seconds, which is far faster than with some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

Admittedly, a few stubborn bubbles remained, but I’ve applied a lot of screen protectors in my time – I’m both an early upgrader and horrendously clumsy – and I’ve always found that these eventually get squeezed out over the first few days of use.

Image 1 of 4

A man lifting and preparing to apply the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector to the Nintendo Switch 2. — Before applying the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 4

A man lining up and applying the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector to the Nintendo Switch 2 using the supplied frame as a guide. — Fitting it within the frame was a piece of cake, easily allowing me to align it precisely. (Image credit: Future)

Image 3 of 4

A man pushing bubbles out from under the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector once it has been applied to the Nintendo Switch 2. — A few bubbles appeared beneath the surface but they were easy enough to chase away. (Image credit: Future)

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A man wipes down the Belkin Temperd Glass Anti-Reflective Screen protector after applying it to the Nintendo Switch 2. — A quick polish with the microfiber cloth and I was done! (Image credit: Future)

As long as you’ve ensured that your Switch 2’s screen is sufficiently clean before applying the protector, it really is hard to imagine how you could go wrong here.

Once it was applied, I was genuinely impressed with the quality of Belkin’s screen protector. Thanks to the tempered glass it’s fashioned from it feels sturdy to the touch – rather than the plasticky feel of some products, you get all of the hardness of standard glass without the brittleness. And its bevelled edges mean it can have a decent thickness to it while not having a pronounced lip around its rim, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the device.

Sometimes this kind of protection can come at a bit of a tradeoff, giving you peace of mind at the cost of increased reflectivity, but Belkin’s anti-reflective treatment seemed to minimize the amount of reflections cast across the screen. It didn’t seem to hurt the pop of the Switch 2’s gloriously vibrant display at all, with Mario Kart World’s colorful palette still looking as hyperreal as ever.

Even under the harsh lighting of our photography studio, I had to spin it to pretty extreme angles for reflections to significantly affect the viewing experience, and you’re unlikely to encounter conditions this unfavorable under real-world use.

The Nintendo Switch 2 with the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector applied; it's at an extreme viewing angle and yet it's easy to still see Mario Kart World loaded up on the screen. — (Image credit: Future)

Being this well designed doesn’t mean anything if a screen protector cracks under pressure though. So how did the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector perform under testing conditions?

Pretty capably, it turns out.

Out of the gate, I wanted to make sure it was going to actually go the distance – it doesn’t matter how hard your screen protector is if it peels off long before it sees any action. Rubbing the corner didn’t cause any layers to come away and, even when I got my nail in there, it didn’t easily lift away from the screen. My impression is that the Belkin should hang on in there for the long haul.

Simulating multiple years of cumulative wear and tear isn’t all that easy, so it’s important that we subject these screen protectors to a level of abuse I’d hope you wouldn’t subject your own console to.

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A man attempts to scratch the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector after it has been applied to the Nintendo Switch 2. — Scratch testing the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector... (Image credit: Future)

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The Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector showing no scratches, despite previous attempts to scratch it with a key. — ... And the aftermath, showing little in the way of scratches. (Image credit: Future)

Taking my keys to the screen protector, I started trying to scratch it, gingerly at first and then, when it resisted my efforts, rather less gingerly. No matter how hard I tried to score the glass, the keys in my hand just slipped off it, so while I imagine it will sustain damage from direct blows, you can rest easy knowing that it’ll laugh off regular scuffs and scrapes with ease.

Even though I’ve spent a lot of money on screen protectors over the years, the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 still impressed me. It’s easy to apply, well made, and should guard your handheld console against all but the most severe abuse.

Once you factor in the aforementioned price – just $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95 – it becomes a bit of a bargain, especially given that you shouldn’t have to replace it for trivial reasons, like superficial scratches or premature peeling. If you want to safeguard your Switch 2, it’s a very safe bet.

A close-up of the bottom-left corner of the Belkin Temperd Glass Anti-Reflective Screen protector applied to the Nintendo Switch 2. — (Image credit: Future)

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & availability

Launched June 4, 2025
Retails for $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95

First released on June 4, 2025, the Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 is Belkin’s first foray into the gaming screen protector space. Priced at $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95, it’s a very competitive option – although it is worth noting that some rivals’ offerings include two protectors for the price of one.

Still, I would argue that the value you’re getting here is pretty decent. Two screen protectors over one sounds like a bargain, as long as they don’t last half as long, effectively negating their cheaper price. Based on Belkin’s track record in this space, and how durable its screen protector proved in our testing, this one should last you a decent while, making it still a smart investment for the price.

The Nintendo Switch 2 with the Belkin Temperd Glass Anti-Reflective Screen protector applied in front of a pink background. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2?

Ease of application	The frame makes it a cinch to fit it in place, and getting an essentially bubble-free seal only takes a few swipes.	4.5 / 5
Design	Bevelled edges allow the protector to have a decent thickness without rough edges, while reflection-reducing and fingerprint-resistant design ensures the screen remains visible even in direct light.	4.5 / 5
Toughness	Thick, robust tempered glass that neither peels nor scratches easily – our testing didn’t leave a single mark on it.	5 / 5
Value	Priced at the cheaper end of the market and designed to last, although some rivals offer two protectors for their higher price.	4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want tough, durable protection
Belkin’s screen protector stood up to all of the abuse I could dream up. It doesn’t easily peel off, it shrugs off fingerprints and, try as I might, I wasn’t able to scratch it.

You struggle to apply most screen protectors
Thanks to its handy frame and effective adhesion, Belkin’s screen protector is very easy to apply. Even if you’re as ham-fisted as I am, you shouldn’t find it too hard to get it on straight.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a backup in case things go wrong
We all make mistakes – especially when it comes to applying screen protectors. So if you want a backup screen protector in case you mess one up, it’s worth picking up one of the options that includes two protectors for the price one.

You also need a bunch of other accessories
If you’re also on the hunt for a case, silicone grips, stick caps and headphones on top of your screen protector, you might find an all-inclusive option like the Snakebyte Starter Kit S2 for Nintendo Switch 2 suits you better.

How I tested the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2

I applied the screen protector following the instructions
I tested how it affects brightness, shows fingerprints, and how easy it is to damage
I relied on decades of handheld gaming experience

Since TechRadar has started testing Nintendo Switch accessories, it’s been important for me to work out a standardized process for how we test them. First off, we apply the screen protector to a Nintendo Switch 2 to see how easy it is to adhere. Then we test how the screen protector affects the brightness of the screen and viewing angles, before seeing how it copes with smudges and fingerprints.

I also wanted to make sure that we checked how well the screen protectors cope with damage. While I wasn’t quite brave enough to drop a flagstone onto our testing Switch 2 and see whether it survived until the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, I did try several methods to test the hardiness of the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector. I tried scuffing the edges of the screen protector and peeling it with my nails to see if it would come loose, before attempting to scratch it vigorously with my keys.

In terms of experience, not only have I been gaming on the go for most of my life – Imma OG Game Boy right here – but I’ve been writing about tech and gadgets on and off for almost 15 years. My reviews team tests a wide array of gaming accessories from controllers to wireless headsets – and perhaps most relevant, I’ve broken more screens than I can count.

First reviewed: September 2025
Read more about how we test

I’ve spent a month rocking with the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller and it’s taken me back to the golden era of rhythm games

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Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Australia, Guitar Hero, UK, US | Comments: Off

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: one-minute review

The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller is a brand-new guitar controller for use with rhythm games like Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, and Clone Hero. CRKD was founded by former Red Octane staff who were responsible for the Guitar Hero series' controllers, and as such this feels very in line with the peripherals for those games, taking on the best elements of each to make one of the best guitar controllers I've ever used.

It comes in two variants, the LP Black Tribal Encore Edition and the LP Blueberry Burst Pro Edition. The Black Tribal edition comes with standard fret buttons and a mechanical click strum bar, with a slightly gaudy tribal design. Meanwhile, the slightly more expensive Blueberry Burst is functionally the same guitar but with mechanical frets, a Hall Effect strum bar with haptic feedback, and a blueberry burst design. If you prefer one set of buttons over another, the necks are interchangeable too.

On top of those two versions, each version has an Xbox edition, which makes it compatible with Rock Band 4. The multi-platform edition does work with Xbox through the KeyJam mode, however, it acts as a keyboard, meaning it is compatible with Fortnite Festival through button mapping but not Rock Band. The multi-platform edition works with Switch, PC, PlayStation 3-5, and Android too.

The guitar itself feels great to hold; it takes on the form of the fan-favorite Gibson Les Paul design that was previously used with Guitar Hero 3, while the strum bar is longer and easier to pinch, like the "Genericaster" design from Guitar Hero: World Tour and Guitar Hero 5 (my personal favorite guitar controller of all time). It lacks the lower fret buttons found on Rock Band guitars and the PDP Riffmaster; however, a separate neck attachment is being released later with this option.

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: price and availability

Prices range between $114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199 and $134.99 / £129.99 / AU$224
Available in the US via the CRKD website
Available in the UK via CRKD, Argos, and Amazon
Available in Australia via JB Hifi

The CRKD Les Paul launched in June 2025, with the Xbox editions set to release in late September. The price is higher based on whether you have the Xbox-compatible edition, with the Blueberry Burst version being more expensive than the Black Tribal one. However, the Blueberry Burst is only $10 / £10 / AU$25 more expensive, while buying the mechanical frets separately is $39.99 / £39.99, so I would personally go with the Blueberry Burst.

While you may be able to get the PDP Riffmaster on sale now, its regular price is more expensive than the Blueberry Burst, with the CRKD being what I feel is the better guitar (however, this more likely comes down to your preference between Guitar Hero and Rock Band-style instruments).

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Specs

Price	$114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199
Dimensions	9.96 x 29.13 x 1.37in / 253 x 740 x 35mm
Compatibility	Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, Smart TV, PS3, PS4, PS5 (Xbox in Fortnite Festival only)
Connection type	Wired (Type-C), wireless (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle)
Software	CRKD App (iOS, Android)

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: design and features

Guitar controller designed for rhythm gaming
Based on the iconic Gibson Les Paul Guitar
A dial allowing you to program different profiles

As the name suggests, the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller is based on the iconic Gibson Les Paul guitar. This design was previously used for the Guitar Hero 3 guitar controller, with this one being roughly the same size.

The two available versions are Black Tribal and Blueberry Burst. Black Tribal is a black plastic base with a glossy black tribal design on top of it. While it's appropriate, as the mid-2000s was the perfect time for guitar controllers and tacky tribal designs (shoutout to the tribal Game Boy Advance SP), I frankly think this design is ugly. Blueberry Burst, on the other hand is fine looking; the actual blue burst design is nice and akin to its namesake guitar, but it's a decal that looks a bit low quality at close inspection.

Meanwhile, since the necks are detachable, both are just regular black plastic with small lights up the neck. These will light up in a color corresponding with which fret button you press.

The guitar features a d-pad on the top of the neck and two sticks. One is a little dial that is clicked in as your start button, and while it's not the end of the world, it can be a little awkward to pause with it. Meanwhile, there's a tone switch-style stick on the upper half of the guitar, which has a ring of buttons around it, allowing you to access the face and trigger buttons.

Under the strum bar is the whammy bar – which allows you to earn extra points when playing sustained notes – and the CTRL button, which is typically bound to Star Power activation. While not as long as the one found on the Genericaster, it's placed well so it's very easy to hit with your wrist and not compromise your strumming.

While not a complete game-changer, the mechanical frets and Hall Effect strum bar found in the Blueberry Burst edition feel fantastic, and given the price isn't significantly higher, I'd recommend going with that version over the Black Tribal.

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Performance

Solid battery life
Works right out the box
Comes with custom profile dial, customisable via the CRKD mobile app

The CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller works straight out of the box with either a USB-C cable connection on PC or via a 2.4GHz dongle (both of which are included with the guitar). You can also use Bluetooth to connect to devices that can't support a USB option. From my month of testing, only the Blueberry Burst edition has run out of battery with me using it for at least 15-20 hours without charging it out of the box.

There's a knob that acts as the on switch when pressed and features a dial that allows you to use one of 9 profiles (the first four being preset to default settings and the Fortnite Festival difficulties). These bindings can be changed via the CRKD mobile app, with the Blueberry Burst edition allowing you to alter the level of sensitivity and haptic feedback on the strum bar.

This is essential for Fortnite Festival. While the default mode is usable in the mode, the CTRL button is mapped to the Select button, which opens a menu in Fortnite. You can't remap this in-game, so you'll need to turn the dial to number two to make it work in Fortnite's pro modes.

Should I buy the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller?

Buy it if...

You want to play guitar games or Fortnite Festival's Pro Mode
If you want to play these classic rhythm games, then you'll want a guitar controller to go with it. It's wide range of compatibility makes it a solid choice for any game you want to play across PC, PlayStation, and Switch, with the Xbox version working for Rock Band 4 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

You were a Guitar Hero diehard
This guitar was made by the people behind the Guitar Hero instruments and feel spot on to the classic instruments. I had my Ratatouille food critic moment playing this for the first time as it took me right back.

Don't buy it if...

You liked the Rock Band guitars better
While both were plastic guitars, Guitar Hero and Rock Band have very different feeling guitar controllers. Ultimately if you preferred the Rock Band guitars, the PDP Riffmaster is the way to go for you.

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Also consider

Still not sold on the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller? Here’s how it compares to the other guitar controllers on the market.

	CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller	PDP Riffmaster	CKRD NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition
Price	$114.99 / £109.99 / AU$199	$129.99 / £129.99 (around AU$199)	$59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95
Dimensions	9.96 x 29.13 x 1.37in / 253 x 740 x 35mm	10.51 x 21.38 x 3.23in / 543 x 267 x 82mm	5.9 x 3.5 x 0.78in / 150 x 88 x 20mm
Compatibility	Multi: Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, Smart TV, PS3, PS4, PS5 Xbox:Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, Smart TV, iOS	Xbox: Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PC PlayStation: PS5, PS4, PC	Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, iOS, Android, Smart TV
Connection type	Wired (Type-C), wireless (Bluetooth + 2.4GHz dongle)	Wireless (2.4GHz dongle), wired (Type-C)	Wireless (Bluetooth), wired (Type-C)
Software	CRKD App (iOS, Android)	PDP Control Hub	CRKD App (iOS, Android)

PDP Riffmaster
This is a great alternative because CRKD was founded by former RedOctane staff – who created the original Guitar Hero controllers – as such, CRKD’s model feels in line with those games. If you preferred the feel of the Rock Band controllers back in the day, you're going to want the PDP Riffmaster. However, I personally find Rock Band buttons unsatisfying, so CRKD is my go-to.

For more information, check out our full PDP Riffmaster review

CKRD NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition
This is a great alternative if you're unsure about rhythm games and don't want to drop over $100 on a full-blown guitar controller. The NEO S is a solid controller in its own right, and the guitar attachment allows you to play these games, albeit with a smaller control method. It doesn't stand next to the full-blown ones, but it's a solid entry-level guitar controller.

For more information, check out our full NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition review

How I tested the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller

Tested for around 20-25 hours
Used to play YARG and Fortnite Festival on PC
Used both editions of the guitar

I've been using the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller since I received it in early August 2025 (so around a month). I did play a decent amount of Fortnite Festival (especially when they added the Power Rangers theme song), but I've mainly been playing YARG, which is a fan-made recreation of the Rock Band games, allowing you to import custom songs to the game.

I played a variety of songs and genres with it, from the likes of some of my favorite bands, Ween, They Might Be Giants, and Jellyfish, to harder rock bands like Iron Maiden, Mastodon, and Primus. I also played a selection of game soundtracks (mostly Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Guilty Gear Strive) and some outright goofy stuff like Weird Al Yankovic, the South Park movie soundtrack, and the Spider-Man 2 pizza theme.

First reviewed September 2025

DMC meets Final Fantasy

The gameplay is where it really shines. Its real-time action combat plays most like Devil May Cry with its heavy emphasis on combos, and you’ll gain access to more weapons as the game progresses. Between Kaser’s four options, a sword, greatsword, spear, and scythe, it’s immensely satisfying to seamlessly switch between each of them during the heat of battle.

While the pace at which the spear and scythe are unlocked later in the game may be a bit slow, there are plenty of combos to execute with the sword and greatsword during the first half. This is due to the excellent upgrade system. Kaser has a skill tree for each of his weapons, and each node provides a stat boost or some sort of follow up attack to his combos. It isn’t necessarily revolutionary, but its straightforward nature gets the job done. This helps to alleviate the pacing gap between unlocking all of Kaser’s weapons.

Lost Soul Aside gets even more of a visual spectacle by giving Kaser his own Voidrax-infused special attacks with Arena. They switch up the gameplay enough so it’s not a constant button mashing affair. Kaser can equip up to three at a time and they vary quite a bit.

My favorite ones include Breath Barrage, which summons two floating smaller Arena-shaped heads that automatically fire like turrets. Lifeforce Bestower summons a tree that slowly heals Kaser as long as he remains within range.

Best bit

Lost Soul Aside is at its best when you've unlocked all of Kaser's weapons. The combat is the most refined aspect of the game and being able to switch between weapons on the fly makes battles feel like butter, even with the less than ideal frame rate. The weapon trinkets and accessories that Kaser can equip have a compounding impact on the moment-to-moment action, adding a surprising amount of depth and customization to combat.

These powers also add a more strategic element to the fights. After breaking an enemy’s shield, I’d activate Breath Barrage so that I can maximize my damage output before they can recover, and Lifeforce Bestower lets me reserve my own healing potions as long as I play conservatively for an amount of time. Experimenting with how Arena’s powers could synergize with Kaser’s combos gave the gameplay a new dimension to have fun with.

Kaser can also augment his weapons with accessories found throughout levels in chests or rewards for story progression. They give various effects like simply increasing your damage output by 5% or restoring some amount of HP when landing a critical hit. At first, these don’t really seem to make immediate changes. However, as you accumulate more weapon accessories and even stronger ones, their impact becomes apparent. It really scratches the min-max part of my brain even though there’s no traditional stat upgrade system.

Not so smooth

On the graphical side, Lost Soul Aside is impressive. It’s got the hyper-realistic anime style that Final Fantasy is known for. The numerous biomes and environments are breathtaking to look at too. While levels can feel a bit railroaded sometimes, there are instances where you’re encouraged to explore and can find chests containing gold or sometimes even trinkets Kaser could equip on himself for passive effects.

There are also special combat trials called Dispersed Dimensions hidden throughout the levels that provide rewards for beating them under certain conditions like completing under a time limit or Kaser’s health constantly drains. The rewards were definitely worthwhile as the trinkets were rarer and had more powerful effects than the ones you’d find in chests.

However, the experience is mired by poor performance on PC. There are constant stutters and framerate drops everywhere, both in and out of battle. Even opening up the menu causes a bit of lag, and there’s about a second of a delay where the screen turns to black before returning back into the game, which is noticeably annoying. The performance is particularly detrimental considering Lost Soul Aside is a fast-paced action game and every second matters or you risk losing.

For example, there’s a specific Dispersed Dimension challenge where enemies can only be damaged by Arena’s attacks. With all of the particle effects activating simultaneously, this caused my game to slow down to a crawl, and even freeze for a few seconds before resuming. This same trial also gives a bonus reward if complete without taking any damage. With performance issues like these, meeting this condition was frustratingly impossible.

The stuttering can also be a huge problem during platforming segments. Missing a platform jump really gets on the nerves, especially when it sends you all the way back to the start of the section. The platforming itself is awkward as well. His jumping range fluctuates too much, causing me to miss more platforms than I’d like to admit. When Kaser’s feet touch the ground, it never feels quite right—the sensory impact feels too soft and doesn’t quite stick with the landing for me.

Lost Soul Aside arguably excels the most where it matters: the frantic and exciting gameplay, along with the pretty visuals. Everything else around it, however, isn’t really up to par. Its story isn’t all that interesting, and the performance issues on PC leave much to be desired. Its influences are certainly apparent, but it's clear that its blade isn’t nearly as sharp.

Should you play Lost Soul Aside?

Play it if...

You love character action games
If you’re a fan of Devil May Cry and recent Final Fantasy titles, you’ll enjoy Lost Soul Aside’s combat.

You love character action games
If you’re a fan of Devil May Cry and recent Final Fantasy titles, you’ll enjoy Lost Soul Aside’s combat..

Don't play it if...

You want a deep story
The story here gets the job done, but it's not particularly engaging.

You want a stable experience Right now, the PC version suffers from plenty of stuttering issues, so wait for a patch or update before diving in.

Accessibility features

Lost Soul Aside has disappointingly few accessibility features compared to other Sony-published games.

However, there are options for Colorblind mode (Red, Green, Blue) and a Colorblind intensity slider. There are also sliders for adjusting camera sensitivity and motion blur.

How I reviewed Lost Soul Aside

I played Lost Soul Aside on PC for 23 hours and finished the main campaign, along with doing a majority of the Dispersed Dimensions and finding as many collectibles as I could. I used an Xbox Wireless Controller.

Your first playthrough will also be on Normal difficulty, and both Hard and Nightmare difficulties are unlocked once you beat the campaign for the first time. You also get access to level replay.

My key PC specs include an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 8-Core Processor CPU, an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT GPU, and 32 GB of RAM.

First reviewed August 2025.

NBA 2K26 feels like a course correction from last year’s controversial changes

12:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: VC | Comments: Off

When five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman was interviewed during Netflix's Last Dance documentary, he explained how he'd have friends shoot hoops from all angles well into the morning just to more accurately track rebounds and work out where he needed to be to scoop up possession.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 (on PS5 Pro)
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: September 5, 2025 (Early access one week prior)

Why do I bring that up when talking about basketball game NBA 2K26? Because, as much as rebounds are less show-stopping than acrobatic dunks, they're the basis on which successful teams build attacks, and every single late-night session predicting angles and flight paths led to Rodman becoming an NBA legend.

While NBA 2K26 may not hit those heights (at least not yet), what's here plasters over some of the cracks in last year's game to offer the best digital basketball experience in years.

No More Bricks

Screenshots from 2K sports game NBA 2K26 — (Image credit: 2K/NBA)

I enjoyed my time with NBA 2K25, but I know I’m in the minority for that. A big reason that the community found itself divided by last year’s game was 2K’s commitment to revamping a core part of the experience, which we’ve been used to over the last decade and change: the shot meter.

While last year put an awful lot of emphasis on the ever-present danger of shooting a brick and fluffing your lines, this year it’s much more forgiving. It’s not quite a walkback to earlier games, but it feels like Visual Concepts has done an awful lot to rework the act of shooting the basketball, or driving to the rim, this time around.

You’ll still throw some absolute honkers if you’re not careful, but you always feel more in control, whereas last year things felt a little too random.

Last year, it took a major shine off of the otherwise stellar animation system that did a better job of making players feel like they were moving more realistically, and in vastly improving offense this year, the whole game feels like it’s faster. It’s not quite arcadey, but it’s a more exciting sim than it’s been in years.

Now, you’re not missing easy layups or having to spam dribbling moves to find a tiny opening, because all players feel much more capable of scoring points from anywhere, and player locomotion feels just a little slicker.

That also ties into the long-running player builds system. Last year, unless you invested a ton of stat points into your player (or real currency), you’d find yourself missing simple shots. This time around, the new ‘MP’ (your in-game avatar in MyPlayer) feels much more like the talented prospect they’re supposed to be at the start of the story.

Rags to Riches (Again)

That brings us nicely to MyPlayer, the mode from which many of NBA 2K26’s others flow. Let’s start with the good: Visual Concepts’ commitment to having a single, central created player remains something I wish rivals would adopt.

It’s awesome to be able to build up your version of MP in one mode before taking them online, and while the story here is pretty predictable, it remains a fun way to build your player’s legend from high school to the NBA.

Cutscenes look better, although they naturally pale in comparison to the on-court action, but what’s here is more of the same.

There’s a downside to that, too, and it’s VC. You’ll earn currency through playing, but as with any NBA 2K instalment, you can spend plenty of real cash to grow your player quickly and into one of the in-game archetypes.

My Small Forward has enjoyed a meteoric rise (at least according to the MyPlayer storyline), but he’s still nowhere near as impressive as anyone who’s thrown their currency of choice at the game.

Elsewhere, MyGM remains one of my favorite ways to play despite not having any major improvements this year after its re-emergence in 2K25. There are fresh long-term goals called Offseason Scenarios, and they feature real-world examples like a Bulls rebuild or weighing up how to follow up the Warriors’ Steph Curry era.

Best Bit

Jettisoning the controversial shooting meter from last year, NBA 2K26 feels like a game full of subtle changes that make scoring points more fun than ever, whether you’re in the paint or shooting from distance.

They’re not the kind of things that you’ll necessarily be entirely drawn into, but they’re a neat addition that gives you something to strive for. Still, for a longstanding NBA fan, the continued support for MyNBA Eras remains something that puts rivals to shame. You can now copy a MyPlayer into a classic era of the NBA, letting you rub shoulders with Larry Bird or Michael Jordan.

Speaking of dream scenarios, MyTeam is back and, as always, it’s very easy to throw VC points at pack openings. I do appreciate that the mode is pretty rewarding when it comes to offline play. I’m decent at 2K, but the game’s fervent community could slap me six ways to Sunday, so it’s nice to be in control of what I play if I want to push for better players for my squad.

This year sees the debut of the WNBA in the mode, which is a huge move that’s been a long time coming. EA FC has seen plenty of success by adding the women’s game into Ultimate Team, but the nature of basketball as a sport where height makes a big difference means that it’s not uncommon for one player to absolutely tower over another.

It perhaps wouldn’t be a huge issue if you could rotate your squad to place smaller, faster players in more attacking roles rather than expecting them to stop a 7ft 7 juggernaut, but that’s at odds with having players with roles and positions assigned to them when they’re fresh out of packs.

Back to the city

Look, I’ll be honest: I’ve never really enjoyed The City. The mode has always felt like a good idea that’s had too much executive input, designed to draw players in to drop their VC to build their player and buy clothing and shoes.

Last year took the smart step of finally shrinking the playspace, and NBA 2K26 goes one step further with interconnected areas that make it much easier to get to where you need to be.

Perhaps the best thing I can say about The City is that performance is vastly improved. Last year’s game got a PS5 Pro update, but it always felt laggy on Sony’s newest system. This year, it’s still not as responsive as playing on the court, but it’s noticeably easier to navigate.

That brings us, finally, to NBA 2K26’s presentation. Put simply, this is the best-looking sports game around, at least on PS5 Pro. When Visual Concepts boasted about being able to see the pores on players' faces ahead of launch, I scoffed. As it turns out, you really can see the pores on player faces, as well as stitching on shoes, and those all-important reflective surfaces like the shiny court.

Should you play NBA 2K26?

Play it if...

You sidestepped last year
If you’re a keen basketball fan, NBA 2K26 is the most fun the series has been in literal years. If you fell off with last year’s game, this is a great time to come back.

You want a sports game that shines on console
On PS5 Pro, NBA 2K26 looks staggeringly good, with a whole host of subtle broadcast package effects and lighting tweaks that make it look magnitudes better than NBA 2K25, which was already impressive.

You want the best virtual basketball experience going
NBA 2K26 is the best basketball game in years, even if you’re looking to play it offline in MyGM or tooling around in MyNBA Eras.

Don't play it if...

You’re hoping for a MyTeam overhaul
This year’s MyTeam mode feels mostly the same as it did last year, outside of the long-awaited introduction of the WNBA, which itself causes some balance issues that are diametrically opposed to the way MyTeam operates (and has operated for years).

You don’t want to spend VC
VC still makes the world go round, and if you’re worried about wanting to spend money here and there for a few stat points or some new digital shoes, you might want to consider keeping your payment card out of sight.

Accessibility

NBA 2K26 has a few accessibility features. You can adjust shot timing windows and visual cues, while there are difficulty settings, too. Vibration and DualSense triggers can be tweaked, too.

Perhaps most impressively is that the shot meter, which can be tricky to spot in the chaos of an ongoing match, can be customized with a variety of options. It’s not strictly there for accessibility purposes, but that customization could be a huge boon for those who need extra visual clarity.

How I reviewed NBA 2K26

Having reviewed multiple NBA titles across different platforms in recent years, I played this one on my PS5 Pro, with the standard DualSense wireless controller, the Astro A50 X headset, and on a Sky Glass TV.

I’ve most recently played NBA 2K25 in the last couple of months, so I have a good grasp of what’s changed. I built up a decent starting line-up in MyTeam during this current review period and spent some time working my way through the ranks in MyTeam.

I also explored The City, was destroyed by other players in pick-up games, and began the journey to take the Chicago Bulls back to a new era of dominance.

First reviewed August-September 2025

This WiZ smart bulb may not be the brightest, but its colorful LED filament puts a modern twist on a vintage classic

12:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Lights | Tags: LED | Comments: Off

WiZ Filament Bulb review

The WiZ Filament Bulb Clear 25W ST19 E26 is a color-changing smart bulb that features a coiled LED strip in place of a traditional filament.

It’s available in the US and the UK under slightly different names to reflect the difference in wattage, bulb shape, and fitment, but they have the same feature set and look very similar.

Known as the WiZ Filament Bulb Clear 25W ST19 E26 in the US, or the WiZ Filament Bulb Clear 40 W ST64 E27 in the UK, it has a list price of $32.99 / £27.99, and can be found at WiZ and Amazon.

Image 1 of 2

A close-up of the WiZ filament bulb. — (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

A close-up of the WiZ filament bulb's fitting. — (Image credit: Future)

I love the Filament Bulb’s classic shape, and was pleased to find that it didn’t feel overly fragile. I have mixed opinions about the coiled LED strip. I found it looked nice in warmer whites and red, but due to the combination of different colored LEDs, it proved a bit of an eyesore when in other colors, with the brightness turned up when using it in my lamp.

If you want a light that can light up a room in addition to providing some nice mood lighting, then this bulb won’t be suitable. It’ll just about do as a reading light if your book is positioned right next to it, but it’s not ideal – although I believe this is often the case due to the nature of filament-style bulbs.

The WiZ filament bulb is lit up red on a concrete lamp base. — (Image credit: Future)

While it looks pretty on certain settings, the width of the LED strip may prove off-putting if you’re looking for a more authentic-looking filament bulb. If so, you may be better off looking for a non-color filament-style alternative, which you can also find from WiZ, Philips Hue, and various other brands.

The Filament Bulb was pleasingly straightforward to sync with the WiZ V2 app, as it was automatically detected, and it connected to my Wi-Fi quickly and without any fuss.

The LEDs are clearly visible on the strip inside the WiZ filament bulb. — (Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, the WiZ V2 app isn’t as intuitive as the Govee and Nanoleaf companion apps – although it would take a lot for an app to compare to the Govee Home app, which you’ll have probably guessed if you’ve already read my review of the Govee Table Lamp 2. Despite this, the WiZ V2 app provides access to a variety of useful functions, such as the control menu, which offers some static presets that include warm and cool options, and night, TV, and relax lighting modes, along with a few others.

I could also choose hues from a color graph, adjust the color temperature using a slider, or choose one of the twenty-five dynamic presets, each offering different color palettes and motions. I could also alter the speed of the color changes, though this adjustment was applied to all of the dynamic presets, rather than individually.

The WiZ filament bulb is lit up green. — (Image credit: Future)

The brightness was easy to adjust using a slider on the home screen or when adjusting settings in the control menu. Thanks to the rhythm function, which I set to change between different modes based on the local time, I was able to get the brightness and color temperature to adjust automatically throughout the day. There’s also a schedule feature, which I used to get the Filament Bulb to turn off at a set time.

I found the Filament Bulb could be slow to respond when switching between the Dynamic lights. And it was also a bit long-winded applying each one, as it asked me which room I wanted to apply it to each time, despite only having one setup. But I could set four of my preferred light settings on the home screen, up to eighteen in the quick action folder, or save them as scenes, so at least the process was quicker once I’d picked my favorites.

The WiZ filament bulb is emitting a warm white. — (Image credit: Future)

On the subject of scenes, I found it far more efficient to fine-tune the lighting effect I wanted in the control menu before saving it as a scene. While the same settings are available when creating a new scene, the bulb didn’t immediately reflect any changes I made. Instead I would only get to check the result after creating and enabling the new scene, which wasn’t ideal, meaning it was often better to tweak the lighting settings first.

Connecting the Filament Bulb to my Echo Dot (5th Gen) was nice and simple, as it was automatically detected by my Alexa app. I needed to put the Filament Bulb into pairing mode, which was a case of switching the light off and on until it began to pulse blue, and the syncing process took just moments to complete. I could then use voice commands to get the Filament Bulb to change colors, temperature, and brightness, which was very convenient, especially as my requested changes were applied promptly.

The WiZ filament bulb is pictured switched off on a concrete lamp. — (Image credit: Future)

Despite the disappointing elements of the app, once I’d fine-tuned the lighting effects and set up the automations and voice control, I quite enjoyed testing the Filament Bulb. Overall, I was pleased with the quality for the price. So, if you’re looking for a vintage-style bulb with modern smart features and want to change up the ambience with a little color, it’s worth checking out the WiZ Filament Bulb Clear 25W ST19 E26.

If you love smart lighting as much as I do and want to explore some other fantastic options, then I highly recommend checking out our best smart lights buying guide.

WiZ Filament Bulb review: Price and specs

Price	$32.99 / £27.99
Model	US: Filament Globe Clear 25W ST19 E26 UK: Filament Bulb Clear 40 W ST64 E27
Colors	Multicolor
Lumens	US: 300 / UK: 470
Temperature	US: 1800-2100K / UK: 2200-6500K
Connectivity	2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth
App	Yes
Voice control	Yes
Dimmable	Yes, using the app
Additional features	Matter compatible, motion sensor (with 2+ bulbs)

Should I buy the WiZ Filament Bulb?

Buy it if...

You want vintage style with modern features
The shape of the bulb is gorgeous, and while the coiled LED isn’t exactly traditional, it has its own charm in the right setting. This, combined with the smart features, makes it an eye-catching choice.

You want automation and voice control
The rhythms and schedules are easy to set up and work well, and controlling the light becomes pretty effortless when synced to smart home devices like Alexa.

Don't buy it if...

You want to light up the room
This bulb’s definitely destined for mood lighting rather than illuminating a space, so it wouldn’t be the brightest choice if you plan to use it as a solo pendant light.

You want a traditional-looking filament
Although the LED strip allows for colorful lighting effects, it has a noticeably different aesthetic compared to white filament-style smart bulbs.

WiZ Filament Bulb review: Also consider

Nanoleaf Matter Essentials smart bulb
If you’re looking for an alternative smart light with a difference, this Nanoleaf bulb may do the trick, thanks to its quirky faceted bulb. It’s cheaper than the WiZ Filament Bulb, yet also Matter compatible, vividly colorful, and can mirror your PC or Mac screen when used with the desktop app. If you’d like the learn more, check out our full Nanoleaf Matter Essentials smart bulb review.

How I tested the WiZ Filament Bulb

I tested the WiZ Filament Bulb for one week
I tested the different features and customizable settings
I observed its performance and brightness levels

I used the WiZ Filament Bulb on my desk in my office and in my living room. I screwed the bulb into a table lamp before powering it on and evaluating the setup process on the WiZ V2 companion app.

I explored the features, testing how different colors and settings looked, and created my own presets and scenes. I also tested how bright the bulb was both in daylight and in a dark room.

I synced the WiZ Filament Bulb with my Alexa app to check how straightforward the process was and to test out voice commands, which I did by altering the brightness, colors, and powering the bulb on and off.

First reviewed: September 2025
Read more about how we test

I tested the AI-enhanced Geekom A9 Max mini PC – and the superb performance makes it a must-have pro-grade office machine

9:02 pm | September 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: CPU, GPU, Indiana Jones, RAM | Comments: Off

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: 30-second review

The Geekom A9 Max is a stylish, premium-styled mini PC that incorporates the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with NPU and integrated AMD graphics. It is a small, stylish machine that has been designed to handle general office work, AI workloads and applications that utilise an AI, such as CoPilot or Photoshop, are given a generative boost.

As I've seen from this line of mini PCs before, the machine is well equipped, with the review sample arriving with 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD that backs up the powerful CPU and integrated GPU. Sure enough, through the test, it proved to be an exceptional office-focused machine with more than enough power to handle heavy-duty day-to-day tasks, such as Microsoft Office and more intensive applications to a point.

The speed of handling large files and browsing documents on a 4K monitor all worked well within the processing abilities of this small machine. I also liked the fact that there were plenty of connectivity options, with LAN ports enabling me to plug directly into my NAS as well as the network for increased transfer rates.

Other connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi 7, proved robust, although I did have a few connection issues with the Eero 6 router. Once swapped to an updated Wi-Fi 7 network, the connection transformed in speed and reliability.

In use, the machine handled 1080p video editing in Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve with ease. However, as I started to tackle a couple of 4K video edits, it became apparent that although the CPU was capable, the integrated GPU slightly held it back.

For social media edits, the machine proved superb, offering plenty of power and flexibility, especially in CapCut. One aspect I liked about the design, especially if you need to handle larger files, is the ability to install a secondary M.2 SSD to boost internal storage.

The volume of connection options came in handy, enabling easy integration within an office or studio setup, with four USB ports in a line across the front. Working in the creative sector, it's also always nice to see an SD card slot at the side to quickly offload image and video files.

By the end of the test, I was genuinely impressed with the performance. It handled Windows, Office, and creative applications with relative ease, up to a certain point, where the GPU seemed to hold back its potential.

A key feature of this machine is that it's enhanced for any application that has AI integration, such as Photoshop, Copilot, Zoom, Teams background blur, noise cancellation, and real-time translation. During testing, I used the AI NPU in Photoshop and Lightroom for AI-powered selection, upscaling, and background removal.

The AI CPU also supports running local machine learning models and your own AI test bench, if that's your thing.

I finished the test with a bit of gaming. The limitations of the GPU became more apparent at this point. While gaming at 1080p was OK, once graphics were enhanced and resolution increased, frame drops became noticeable. Lighter games like DiRT Rally ran fine and were playable.

However, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle required all graphics settings to be reduced, and even then, there were still occasional image breakups.

It was clear this stylish machine has been finely tuned for office and creative space use. It's an ideal option with robust connectivity options and enough power for day-to-day office tasks and a bit more. It can handle many standard creative tasks, such as video editing and image enhancement, without many issues. Only when stepping up to high-resolution, high-bitrate 4K video did its limits become clear.

If you're in the market for one of the best mini PC units, with high-quality, high-performance for the home or office, then the Geekom A9 Max is a superb option.

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $999 / £999
When is it out? Now
Where can you get it? Widely available

The GEEKOM A9 Max AI Mini PC is available directly from Geekom US for $999 and Geekom UK for £999 at time of review. This includes 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB PCIe SSD.

It's also available from most major online retailers, including Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Value: 4 / 5

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Design

Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
Graphics: AMD Radeon 890M
RAM: 32GB Dual Channel DDR5-5600 SODIMM (128GB MAX)
Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD, 1 x M.2 2230 SSD
Front Ports: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 3.5mm stereo headphone
Rear Ports: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB 2.0 Type-A, USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt mode / PD, USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt mode, 2 x RJ45, 2 x HDMI 2.1, DC
Side Ports: SD Card slot
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Audio: 3.5mm Audio in
Camera: N/A
Size: 1135 x 132 x 46.9 mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: VESA Mount

The A9 Max is a premium mini PC with a CNC-machined aluminium chassis, offering a durable and sleek aesthetic. Lifting it out of the box, there's no doubt this machine has a distinct premium feel.

It measures 135 x 132 x 46.9 mm, making it fairly average in size for this style of computer, and with a slightly heavier weight, it feels more substantial than many cheaper mini PCs on the market.

The premium build and extensive connectivity pitch this mini PC towards professional and mid-to-high-end home environments. It wouldn't look out of place in any design studio with its minimalistic design.

One feature that's instantly apparent over many other mini PCs is the sheer volume of connectivity options, both wireless and wired. Around the body of the machine, there's a row of four USB-A ports across the front, all of which are USB 3.2 Gen 2. The rest of the front is relatively minimalistic with just a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack.

On the side, there's an SD card 4.0 slot to quickly download files from your camera or other devices.

Around the back, there's another USB 3.2 Gen 2 alongside a USB-A and USB 2.0. Also present are two USB 4.0 ports, one of which supports PD power. These are joined by two RJ45 networking ports, two HDMI 2.1 FRL ports, and the DC-in socket.

Inside, once opened, both RAM and storage are upgradeable. The RAM is dual-channel DDR5 5600 MHz, upgradeable to 128 GB. Storage includes two M.2 2280 SSD NVMe Gen 4 slots, and our review sample came pre-installed with 2 TB.

The aluminium chassis also contributes to cooling, integrating with a large heatsink, heat pipes, and a fan. While not fanless, the cooling system is necessary for the powerful CPU, NPU, and GPU.

A VESA mount is included, so it can be wall-mounted or attached to the back of a monitor.

Ultimately, the A9 Max offers a stunning minimalistic design that offers plenty of processing power, connectivity and a boost in performance for applications that support AI.

Design: 5 / 5

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Features

The core highlight of this machine is its AI potential. Alongside the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, there's an integrated AMD Radeon 890M GPU and NPU powered by the XDNA 2 engine. This offers up to 50 TOPS of NPU performance and a total AI acceleration of 77–80 TOPS, ideal for Copilot, local LLMs, object detection, voice recognition, and any AI-integrated applications such as Windows 11 and Adobe Photoshop with generative features.

On the back, display options include two HDMI and two USB4 ports, supporting up to 8K monitor output.

The machine also offers ample flexibility for upgrades. Dual-channel DDR5 SO-DIMM slots can be upgraded to 128 GB, and the two PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD slots support up to 8 TB, which is substantial for a machine of this size.

Network connectivity is also good with Wi-Fi 7 and dual LAN for fast wired and wireless connections, making it suitable for both setups and streaming. The fact that it comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro means that it's ready to be used as part of a mid to large scale business, but if you're not a Windows fan it will also support alternative operating systems such as Ubuntu.

Features: 4.5 / 5

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Performance

CrystalDiskMark Read: 6234.88MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 5371.08MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 15190
Geekbench CPU Single: 2938
Geekbench GPU: 41100
PCMark Overall: 7638
Cinebench CPU Multi: 20802
Cinebench CPU Single: 2026
Fire Strike Overall: 8631
Fire Strike Graphics: 9396
Fire Strike Physics: 30023
Fire Strike Combined: 3222
Time Spy Overall: 3622
Time Spy Graphics: 3284
Time Spy CPU: 10559
Wild Life Overall: 19157
Steel Nomad Overall: 546
Windows Experience Overall: 8.2

Getting started with the Geekom A9 Max is straightforward. Simply run through the Windows 11 Pro setup, which takes around five to ten minutes, then after the updates, it's ready for your choice of applications to be installed.

Windows 11 Pro runs extremely smoothly from the outset, with the only issue I encountered being the wireless connectivity with my Eero 6 router. After switching to a Wi-Fi 7 router, both speed and reliability significantly improved, suggesting a conflict between the A9 Max and the Eero 6, which I've experienced before with Wi-Fi 7-enabled machines.

Running Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office applications went without issue. Using Microsoft Word with Copilot was fast and responsive, and that performance was pretty much reflected across all Office applications. In Adobe Photoshop, the generative fill feature processed quickly with good results.

Because applications were able to use the local AI CPU and NPU, there was no reliance on cloud-based AI, essentially helping to speed up the amount of processing time, especially with the Adobe Creative Apps, compared to machines that aren't AI-enhanced.

The performance in Photoshop and Lightroom was impressive and far smoother than I expected for a machine of this size, which led me on to testing higher resolution video. Using CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, initially for a simple 1080p edit with effects, the A9 Max handled everything smoothly. The 2 TB SSD and fast transfer speeds meant it could manage social media and small-scale video production, making it ideal for small-scale creative work.

However, when working with 4K footage shot on a Sony A7 IV, the GPU began to show its limits. Fans ramped up under load, timeline rendering slowed, and clip import times increased. That said, for a small form factor, performance remained impressive, and fan noise was generally well managed.

In gaming tests, DiRT Rally performed well, though it isn't graphically demanding. Tekken 8 also played well, though effects had to be reduced; however, when it came to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the performance was less fluid, with dropped frames and occasional stuttering. The gaming highlighted how the integrated GPU is adequate for light gaming, but not for graphics-intensive titles.

Benchmark results confirmed real-world impressions. Windows 11 Pro and Office are performing well, reflected in a PCMark score of 7638 and a Windows Experience Index of 8.2, both typical for premium mini PCs. Office applications such as Excel and PowerPoint loaded quickly and allowed for fast multitasking, thanks to strong Geekbench CPU single and multi-core scores.

Creative applications also performed well as a whole, with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom running smoothly, and the Geekbench GPU score of 41100 highlighted the machine's potential for mid-range graphics processing.

SSD speeds were particularly impressive, with a read speed of 6234 MB/s and a write speed of 5371 MB/s. These speeds helped with video editing, especially when handling larger files.

In Premiere Pro, 1080p editing went well, but at 4K, performance dropped as effects were applied. DaVinci Resolve was less stable overall and demanded more from the graphics system. While usable at 1080p, the experience was definitely less fluid as I had to wait for the renders to catch up.

By the end of testing, it was clear that the A9 Max is very capable for Windows 11 Pro, Office, and general productivity tasks. With internal upgrades available, there's good potential. Even the base 32 GB RAM and 2 TB storage are enough for social media editing at 1080p. It's worth noting that, like other Geekom machines of this level, replacing the RAM and SSD is relatively easy; simply take off the base, remove the antenna wires, and then remove the next plate to gain access. While some machines enable you to leave the antenna wires in place, here there isn't quite enough length, and if you do leave them in place, they'll disconnect from the wireless card, and refitting them can be a tedious and painstaking task.

Through the test the speed of the machine generally impressed with the only significant slowdown occurring during editing of high-bitrate 4K footage from a mirrorless camera. Standard 4K from a smartphone was manageable, though it has lower data rates by comparison.

In gaming, performance was average. The machine is clearly designed more for work than play. The extensive connectivity, four front USB-A ports, USB4 at the back, and dual LAN make integration into an office network easy, making it a great office-based solution.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Final verdict

The Geekom A9 Max is a great mini PC that looks fantastic, with a CNC-machined aluminium chassis that fits perfectly in any office or studio.

Its standout features include build quality and upgradeability, essentially as your needs grow, internal storage and RAM can be increased. For multimedia editing, more RAM would help with higher-bitrate video and effect-heavy workflows. Storage can also be expanded from 2 TB up to 8 TB, reducing the need for external drives.

The dual LAN ports allow high-speed connections to a local network or NAS. For small office setups, this is a real advantage, although it's worth noting that LAN speeds are capped at 2.5 GbE, rather than the 5 or 10 GbE you might expect in a premium system.

If you find yourself regularly plugging and unplugging accessories, the row of front USB-A ports is a big time-saver; however, it's a shame there's no USB-C on the front for faster devices.

I also liked the fact that there's the inclusion of the SD card reader, which makes it easy to quickly offload image and video files to the internal SSD, which offers exceptionally fast read/write speeds and helps significantly in workflows involving large files or media.

By the end of testing, it was clear this is a premium-level office machine. There are some omissions, such as the lack of a front USB4 port or faster LAN, but for its main purpose as an office-based machine, it delivers.

Should I buy a Geekom A9 Max Mini PC?

Value	A great machine that is a perfect solution for office use, though the quality does come with a price premium	4
Design	The solid CNC-machined aluminium chassis looks fantastic and feels incredibly robust	5
Features	With AMD's latest CPU, NPU, and GPU all integrated into a single chip, this machine is office-ready	4.5
Performance	With AMD's latest CPU, NPU, and GPU all integrated into a single chip, this machine is office-ready	4.5
Overalls	A great option for any office, especially if you use Copilot or other applications that utilise AI integration	4.5

Buy it if...

You want an AI-ready PC

The latest CPU with NPU enables full use of AI services through local processing, which helps speed up results and improve workflow.

You need a future-proof option.

With the latest CPU, USB4, and Wi-Fi, this system includes new technologies that should remain relevant for years.

Don't buy it if...

You need discrete GPU performance.

The integrated graphics are good, but for high-end creative tasks or gaming, a dedicated GPU is still preferable.

You're on a tight budget.

This is a premium mini PC with premium pricing. Entry-level models may offer better value depending on your needs.

For more professional-level tech, we've tested the best business computers and best business laptops around.

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Baseus Inspire XC1: Two minute review

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Specifications

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Price and availability

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Design

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Features

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Sound performance

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Value

Baseus Inspire XC1 review: scorecard

Baseus Inspire XC1: Should I buy?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Also consider

How I tested

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Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2: review

Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price & availability

Should I buy the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2?

Buy it if…

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How I tested the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: one-minute review

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller: price and availability

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Specs

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: design and features

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller review: Performance

Should I buy the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller?

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How I tested the CRKD Gibson Les Paul Guitar Controller

DMC meets Final Fantasy

Not so smooth

Should you play Lost Soul Aside?

Play it if...

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No More Bricks

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Back to the city

Should you play NBA 2K26?

Play it if...

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WiZ Filament Bulb review

WiZ Filament Bulb review: Price and specs

Should I buy the WiZ Filament Bulb?

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Don't buy it if...

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How I tested the WiZ Filament Bulb

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: 30-second review

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Price & availability

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Design

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Features

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Performance

Geekom A9 Max Mini PC: Final verdict

Should I buy a Geekom A9 Max Mini PC?

Buy it if...

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